A new bathroom is one of the quickest ways to lift a home — and one of the easiest projects to get wrong if the hidden work is skipped. Here are realistic London prices for 2026, what is included and where the money goes. All figures exclude VAT.
Typical bathroom renovation costs in London
| Room | Typical range | Time on site |
|---|---|---|
| Cloakroom / downstairs WC | £5,000–8,000 | 1–2 weeks |
| Shower room or en-suite | £9,000–15,000 | 2–3 weeks |
| Family bathroom | £12,000–20,000 | 3–4 weeks |
| Luxury bathroom (stone, bespoke vanity, statement bath) | £20,000–35,000+ | 4–6 weeks |
These include strip-out, plumbing, electrics, tanking, tiling, sanitaryware fitting and decoration. Sanitaryware and tiles are priced separately or as an allowance — that is where your choices make the biggest difference.
Where the money goes
- Labour and preparation (around half): strip-out, new pipework, boarding, tanking and tiling.
- Tiles: large-format porcelain and patterned layouts like herringbone take more time to set out and fix.
- Sanitaryware and brassware: from a few hundred pounds to several thousand for a single freestanding bath or thermostatic shower set.
- Electrics: lighting, extractor fan, shaver socket and electric underfloor heating, all certified.
The hidden work that matters
Most bathroom failures come from what is behind the tiles. Ask any contractor how they will handle:
- Waterproofing (tanking) of the shower area and floor — not just silicone.
- Falls to the drain in walk-in showers, so water doesn't sit on the floor.
- Ventilation — an extractor that actually removes steam prevents mould.
- Access to concealed cisterns and valves for future servicing.
Ways to save without it showing
- Keep the WC and shower near the existing soil stack.
- Use one feature tile and a simpler tile elsewhere.
- Choose a quality mixer and a mid-range basin rather than the other way round.
See real examples: an emerald herringbone shower room in Kilburn, a walk-in shower room in Mill Hill and a star-tiled family bathroom in Tottenham. Or price yours in the calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a new bathroom cost in London?
A shower room or en-suite typically costs £9,000–15,000 and a family bathroom £12,000–20,000 excluding VAT, including labour, plumbing, electrics, tanking and tiling. Luxury bathrooms start around £20,000.
How long does a bathroom renovation take?
Most bathrooms take 2–4 weeks on site; a cloakroom WC can take 1–2 weeks.
Want a price for your project?
Use our calculator for an instant range, or book a free survey for a fixed, itemised quote.
